My Cup Runneth Over

Christmas 2010 came and went. It was good.  I was reminded of last Christmas and how different this year was for me.  I had a couple new friends drop by and bring us goodies and gifts for me.  We had family drive up here from Illinois to spend the holiday with us. It was so nice to worship The Lord with my family together again at our Christmas Eve service.  Something simple to most, but not to me anymore.   Even though the flu bug invaded my home and took charge for awhile, it was still good.  I am so thankful for friends and family.  God sure knew what He was doing when He made both.  While telling my sister how thankful I was for my new friends, I about burst into tears.  Her words were this...."Your cup runneth over."  She is so right.

Merry Christmas To You

Just wanted to stop by and wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  :) 

Snug As Bugs

 Last night the girls and I found ourselves piled into my bed.  We were all squeaky clean from our baths and decided a holly jolly movie was in order.  We watched Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus.  It was a really cute movie.  I loved the animation in it.  My sister told me it has been on TV lately and Macy's is using it as their theme this year.  I can see why!  It was nice having some "girl time."  I am so thankful that they still want to do this with their mama.

 

This fellow also enjoys some comfy time with mama in the fluffy bed to.  

Yummy Recipe

I have been making this recipe for the past three years or so.  It is very good and very easy.  That is just the kind of recipe I like!  You can also use this for every season M & M candy comes out in fun colors for the different holidays.  This is a yummy treat and it is also nice to give out around the holidays for some Fa La La.  And, it just might go really well with your afternoon coffee.  Just saying.  :)

Vanilla Snack Mix

2 12 oz pkgs vanilla chocolate chips
5 cups Cheerios
5 cups Corn Chex
10 oz small pretzels (loops or sticks)
2 cups peanuts or cashews (optional)
1 large bag M & M candy 

Melt 2 packages vanilla chips with 3 tsp vegetable oil in a microwave safe bowl for two minutes.  Stir frequently while melting.  Stir chocolate until smooth.
Dump in very large bowl all dry ingredients.
Pour melted chips over cereal mixture.  Toss to coat.  Spread on waxed paper to cool.  Break apart after cooling and store in a sealed container.  

Enjoy!

Christmas Concert

Last night was the girls Christmas Choral Concert. 

 

 The entire chorus was lined up on each side of the auditorium singing Silent Night with the candles burning.  You can only see half of the kids and their candles in my picture.  It looked so magical!

The high school orchestra also played last night.  Hearing those cellos and violins playing along with the kids voices.....oh my goodness was it lovely.  Nothing like a choral concert to get you in the mood for Christmas.  A nice bit of relaxing in an oh-so-wonderful season.

Birthday's Galore

December is the month for birthday's of three people I love.  First my hubby's birthday.  We celebrated his special day in great style.  Last year he could not make it home from a work trip due to the snow.  This year he was lucky and did not spend it stranded in an airport.  

 We always decorate with birthday banners and balloons to make it festive.  After all....birthday's are a big deal!  :)

We also have a tradition where the birthday person gets to pick their menu for the special day.  As usual...he picks fried chicken, mashed potatoes and corn.  Dessert is ALWAYS a coconut cream pie.  My mom usually makes it.  This year, we were in Michigan and she is in Illinois.  So, what is a wife to do?  Learn how to make coconut cream pie!  And so I did.

 Next, I traveled back to Illinois to spend the day celebrating two of my most dearest friends birthday's.  I had been praying for no snow so I could get home.  I made it safe and sound.  We had a lovely breakfast together to celebrate these special gals.  We drank coffee and laughed and drank more coffee and ate and laughed.  We set up Kim's and my sissy fancy-smanchy cameras and turned the timer on so we could get a group shot.  We were happy with the way this one turned out.  Friends.  We are a group of women who have walked all sorts of roads in our lives.  We are all walking towards the same goal though....to be Godly women, good people, good mothers, good friends.

With a little bit of goofy thrown in for good measure.  Hey...who says old ladies can't rock?  (Our kids are so going to be embarrassed with these pictures!)

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like......

 Christmas!  The tree the girls picked out at the tree farm.  They did it all by themselves.  It is a good tree.  Very fragrant. 

 I bought some cute lights for $2.50 at Target and hung them on my headboard.  I smiled tonight when I walked in and their soft glow welcomed me into the room.  I still have plastic totes in the basement full of Christmas decorations waiting to be put out.  Only the tree and the outside stuff is done right now.  I have been to busy being an elf and getting gift shopping finished.  Only one more person and I am officially done.  Then comes the wrapping.  It is tradition for me to wrap while watching It's A Wonderful Life.  I have to get it all wrapped before the last scene of the movie.  When all the people from the town come in and bring money to help George because Old Man Potter stole his money, I bawl EVERY SINGLE TIME! 

What is your favorite Christmas movie?